“About what?”
“About me. About us. About—” I run my hands through my hair, pulling at the roots. “I had coffee with her on Monday and I didn’t tell Juliette and now Sienna’s making it sound like I was hiding something.”
“Were you hiding something?”
“No! It was nothing. But now she’s acting like we’re getting back together and threatening to tell Juliette that I’ve been cheating.”
“But you haven’t been cheating.”
“I know that! But how’s it going to look when Sienna shows up and tells her I had coffee with my ex and didn’t mention it?” I can hear the desperation in my own voice, high and tight. “Juliette’s ex did the same thing. Hid things from her. Lied to her. And now I’m doing the exact same thing and she’s going to think I’m just like him.”
Almardon’s quiet for a long moment. “You need to tell Juliette. Now. Before Sienna gets to her.”
“I know. I’m trying. She’s teaching.”
“Then go find her. Pull her out of the lesson if you have to. Because if Sienna gets to her first, you’re fucked.”
He’s right. I know he’s right.
I grab my phone and text Juliette again.
Where are you? I really need to talk to you.
JuJu
I just finished a lesson.
Okay. I’ll come find you. Don’t go anywhere.
JuJu
Romeo, you’re freaking me out.
I know. I’m sorry. Just stay where you are. I’ll explain everything.
I change out of my gear as fast as I can. My hands fumble with the laces, the velcro. My phone keeps buzzing with new messages from new numbers but I don’t even look at them anymore.
I just need to get to her first.
I just need to explain before Sienna does.
My phone buzzes one more time. Against my better judgment, I check it.
I’m here. At the facility. Time’s up, Romeo.
No.
No no no.
I’m moving before I even realize it, out of the locker room, down the hall toward the rinks where Juliette teaches. My shoes squeak on the rubber flooring. People call out to me but I don’t stop.
I have to get to her first.
I have to.
31
JULIETTE
